2008 National Arbor Day Awards

J. Sterling Morton Award

Dr. Peter Raven

Raven has presided over the Missouri Botanical Garden for more than 36 years, and in that time he has seen the facility grow into a world-class center for botanical research, education, and horticulture display.

During his tenure, the Missouri Botanical Garden has become the leader in botanical research in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and North America. Raven champions research around the world to preserve endangered plants and animals, and he is a leading advocate for building a sustainable environment. In 2001, he received the National Medal of Science, the highest award for scientific accomplishment in the United States.

“Peter Raven’s commitment to preserving trees and the natural world has inspired generations of scientists and conservationists around the world,” said John Rosenow, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “His love of trees, and his desire to preserve and protect thousands of species is making a tremendous impact on the environment.”

This year’s winners are:

• Lifetime Stewardship Award

  • Dr. Peter Raven of St. Louis, MO

• Frederick Law Olmsted Award

  • Buck Abbey of Baton Rouge, LA

• Caroline French Morton Award

  • Jeunesse Park of Johannesburg, South Africa

• Lawrence Enersen Award

  • Debbie Mendelson of Woodside, CA

• Lady Bird Johnson Award

  • Green Streets for Omaha, NE

• Rachel Carson Award

  • Long Island Nature Collaborative for Kids of Long Island, NY

• Good Steward Award

  • Kurt Berger of Sugar Grove, PA
  • Johney Haralson of Denmark, SC
  • The Ziolkowski Family of Crazy Horse, SD

• Project Award

  • The City of Buffalo and Re-Tree Western New York of Buffalo, NY
  • Johnson City Housing Authority of Johnson City, TN
  • Rain to Recreation of Lenexa, KS
  • The USDA Forest Service Living Memorials Project of Newtown Square, PA

• Education Award

  • The Forest Where Ashley Lives by Mark and Ashley Vitosh of Ames, IA

• Media Award

  • If I Were a Tree by Dar Hosta of Flemington, NJ

• Celebration Award

  • Eastside Elementary School of Clewiston, FL

• Promise to the Earth Award

  • Doubletree Hotels
  • Home Depot Foundation